CREDITS... "Well that sucked"

Alright, listen up, amateur screenwriters. Do you want to know why your spec screenplays are getting passed on by the bigwigs in the #filmIndustry? One of the biggest reasons is because of poorly executed or unconvincing resolutions. That's right, folks. Your endings suck. A great ending won't mean dick if the rest of the script is shit, but a "MEH" ending will tank a great script as well.

A satisfying #featurefilm #screenplay ending doesn't necessarily have to wrap all the loose ends up in a bow. It just needs to feel true to the characters and the story that has been established, while offering a satisfying emotional resolution to the reader/audience.

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But Noah, how do we fix it? How do we execute a satisfying resolution that will leave our readers (and hopefully, one day, viewers) feeling fulfilled?"?

I'm glad you asked, freely, and of your own accord...

First things first, (I am not the realest), but you have to set up your ending earlier in your #screenplays. Don't just pull something out of your ass in the last five pages and call it a day. That's lazy #screenwriting, and it shows. Your reader/audience wants to feel like they've been on a journey, that everything they've seen has been leading up to this one moment.

The ending of Crazy Stupid Love, which I believe is the most underrated films and screenplays of all time, is a perfect example of how to execute a satisfying resolution with multiple #storylines. The film follows several characters, all dealing with their own relationship struggles, and brings them together in a way that feels both organic and surprising. The climactic scene, in the backyard with the faux putt-putt course, sees all the characters intersecting in a way that is both hilarious and heartwarming. The payoff of the #storyline involving the revelation of the babysitter's crush on the father is particularly satisfying, as it ties together several smaller moments from earlier in the film. The resolution of each character's arc feels earned and true to their respective journeys, making for an emotionally resonant and satisfying ending.

Let's take a look at some #films that I think did it right. These are films that had endings with payoffs that were set up earlier in the film in exciting ways:

1. The Usual Suspects (1995) - The genius of this film's ending lies in the way the #screenwriter, #ChristopherMcQuarrie, set up the clues all throughout the story. We see glimpses of Keyser Soze's legend throughout the #film, but we don't realize that he's actually one of the characters until the very end. The revelation is made all the more satisfying because of the way McQuarrie planted those clues early on. I once made a Keyser Soze reference to an actor who did get it and it broke my heart.
2. The Sixth Sense (1999) - I love this film. M. Night Shyamalan's screenplay for #TheSixthSense is a masterclass in setting up a #twistending. The clues are all there, but they're subtle enough that we don't catch on until the final reveal. The payoff is not only surprising, but it also completely reframes everything that came before it.
3. Memento (2000) - I love this film. The backward #nonlinear narrative structure of Memento is already a clever setup for a satisfying ending, but the way the screenwriter, #ChristopherNolan, plays with our expectations and keeps us guessing until the very end is what really makes it work. The film is full of clues and hints, and it's a joy to piece it all together in the final scene. (I will mention Nolan at least two more times in this list, just FYI).
4. The Prestige (2006) - I love this film. Christopher Nolan strikes again with this film's ending, which is a perfect culmination of all the twists and turns that came before it. The film sets up the idea of a #magictrick early on, and the way that concept is used to tie everything together, in the end, is pure brilliance. You are welcome to disagree with me but you're wrong.
5. No Country for Old Men (2007) - I love this film. This film's ending is haunting, unexpected, and entirely justified. The screenwriter, Joel, and Ethan Coen (#TheCoenBrothers) set up the idea of fate and inevitability early on in the story, and the way the ending plays out is a natural extension of that theme. It's a gut punch of an ending, but it feels like the only way this story could have concluded. Pay attention to how the ending is bleak and the characters don't live on happily ever after, yet because of the tone, thems, and voice of the writing the ending is perfect because of how flawed it all is.
6. Inception (2010) - I love this film. The way Inception sets up the rules of the dream world and then plays with them throughout the story is what makes the film so satisfying, but it's the ending that really sticks with you. The spinning top is a perfect symbol for the film's themes of reality and perception, and the way the screenwriter, Christopher Nolan, leaves it up to interpretation is a stroke of genius.
7. Get Out (2017) - I love this film. The way this film handles its themes of racism and privilege is masterful, and the ending ties everything together in a way that is both satisfying and unsettling. The screenwriter, #JordanPeele, plants clues and hints throughout the #story that pays off in unexpected ways, and the final twist is a gut punch that resonates long after the #filmending.
8. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) - I love this film. The ending of this film is both unexpected and emotionally resonant. The screenwriter, #MartinMcDonagh, takes the story in a direction that we didn't see coming, but it feels entirely earned and justified based on everything that came before it. It's a powerful conclusion to a powerful story.
9. #Parasite (2019) - I am not a big fan of this film. Just kidding, I love this film. The way this film's final act plays out is surprising, but it's also completely justified based on everything that came before it. The screenwriter, #BongJoonHo, is a genius and a filmmaker! He sets up the class dynamics and power struggles early on, and the way they play out, in the end, is a perfect culmination of those themes. It's a great example of how to execute a twist ending without it feeling cheap or unearned.

So, there you have it, folks. Nine films or ten if you include Crazy Stupid Love, executed their resolutions in a way that left us all feeling satisfied. Now, how can you apply this information to your screenplays?

Well, first and foremost, make sure you're setting up your ending earlier in the Script. Don't rely on a last-minute twist to save your script. Think about what you want your audience to feel at the end of your story, and work backward from there. And remember, don't be afraid to take risks. The films I listed above all took risks in their storytelling, and it paid off. So don't play it safe. Go for broke. Because if there's one thing we know in this business, it's that the films that take risks are the ones that people remember.

So what does all this shit mean?

Just don't forget that the resolution of your screenplay is just as important as the rest of the story. It's not more important that the rest of your story, a great twist ending will not save a shitty script. But it's the final impression that your audience will have, so make it count. Make it satisfying, make it emotional, make it memorable. Remember, executing a satisfying resolution is a key element of a successful #specscreenplay. By setting up your ending earlier in the story, taking risks, and making it count, you can create an ending that leaves your audience feeling fulfilled and wanting more. So go out there and write the next Usual Suspects, the next Parasite, and the next Inception. Just make it you. Make your ending personal, your audience/reader will love that. The world is waiting for your masterpiece.